LEAWAY / APRIL 21

I did visit the Twelvetrees Industrial Park few years ago and did a post of my walk then. Not that the landscape is of the most inspiring but I could notice in the last year that there was a lot of movement. I thought it was worth to explore once more. I left the DLR at Star Lane station and tried to find my way through the layout. I decided I would not visit the Electra Business Park (blue) as it didn't seem to have changed much from my previous visit. Instead I tried to investigate every corner or the newer section. Unfortunately my motivations were cut short as the Europa Park Industrial Estate (purple) is private. I also decided not pay too much attention to the more modern section were Sainsbury's, Amazon and Bywaters are (green) The middle part of the Twelvetrees Park remains pretty much the same as I left it. It's a bit dull to capture. My first point of interest was this building site cornered between West Ham station (Jubilee line-East), (District line-North), Gas Works (West) and Stagecoach Garage (South) It is quite vast and is obviously ideally located. But I was surprised to discover an even greater building site on the other side of the river Lea by Aberfeldy Village across Bow Creek.

As I am writing this post and as I am trying to get the different names right I come across this Tower Hamlets document that explains the Leaway footpath which I was totally unaware about. I did come across some installations in the past by Three Mills but little was I aware that a series of 15 contemporary sculptures were to be displayed from the Lea's mouth. So, I think it would be helpful if I put a link here if you wish to read the proposal from Tower Hamlets 

https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Planning-and-building-control/Strategic-Planning/Local-Plan/Evidence_base_2016_Local_Plan/DRAFT_LRP_Design_Manual_Nov_2016.pdf 

The highlight of that walk was the discovery of the new Cody Dock. I love what they did of the place. A new trendy relaxed atmosphere work/live venue within the industrial estate with stunning views across the river (not for long though) I walked all the way to Three Mills and finished it as the path meets the A11 in Stratford opposite the new Greenway section leading to the new West Ham station. To conclude I want to attach a couple of links. As I was fishing for more info about the area I came across this website and it will give you an idea of what is about to be built by West Ham station 

https://www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/london/west-ham/twelvetrees-park

and another one for Aberfeldy Village 

https://ecoworldlondon.com/places-to-live/completed/aberfeldy-village

 

CANNING TOWN / MARCH 21

My last visit to Canning Town was in Summer 2018 when I walked the length of Barking Road (A124) But before doing so I then paid a visit to the new City Island. This time this is where I started my journey hoping that the banks of the Lea River would be open to take me up to its mouth. But it is still closed and for good reasons I suppose. I had to make my way through the Limmo peninsula (aka City Island) in order to start my loop around Canning Town. This part was short-lived as I was being asked to leave the perimeter as the land was now private and therefore required an authorisation. To photograph with a high-end mobile phone didn't seem to be an issue but doing it with a standard Fuji mirrorless seemed to be one. I didn't want to go into lengthy discussions with the security guys and preferred to enjoy this glorious day of early Spring (the view from afar was much better anyway) Took the Lower Lea crossing and so much is raising. Ballymore which is in charge of City Island is also in charge of the Goodluck Hope residential area on the waterfront facing the tip of North Greenwich and the Millennium Dome. Meaning that the mouth of the Lea River has become private property! - Unbelievable - How did that happen? Anyway moving on. The whole of the waterfront is now under construction and I suppose it will link in few years with the new development further down in Silvertown. 

Map description: YELLOW DOTS my walk BLUE completed after Olympic Games PINK under construction GREEN land clearing ORANGE land waiting RED future prospects (this map is a personal interpretation)

I have now passed the A1011 and I am making my way up North. I have to walk through the London Royal Docks and its futuristic display. I then pass over the DLR to enter an older part synonymous with post-War regeneration. It is finally quiet but the high constructions are creeping in from behind. I walk through Keir Hardie recreation ground built in the 50's but seems like it has had a recent facelift - looks good. I then enter the belly of the whale. The A1011 has turned into two gigantic walls facing each other and I people look ridiculously small and insignificant. It is midday and the sky is blue but I feel trapped like in a box. It's all property. It is well located and it can take on a lot of people. And my first question is where are the extra greens spaces? The park I just left was designed for a dense low architecture. Today you can squeeze as many families in just one block and where do they go to revitalise. Playgrounds are good for kids but what about teens, adults and elderly? Where can they relax and gather. There is almost nothing down there by the river. It's just concrete after concrete, very sterile vision. Worrying...

I decide to leave the high rise and venture a bit along Newham Way (A13) This is a vision of poverty, an abandoned fringe of the population. The estate is not fit for purpose anymore and will be erased soon I bet. Visions of utopia, madness and misery. A good day from a documentary perspective I guess.

I had to post this last image SHOPEAT SOCIALISE CANNING TOWN, yeah right!...